Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  97 SS - 1997 Chevrolet Camaro
  By Carlton - June 29 - 4:21 am

  Its garage mate is a 2003 Quick Silver Z06. The SS is probably the more fun to drive. It is pure seat of the pants driving where the Z06 is power and technology. It is as much fun today as it was driving it off the showroom floor. Additions/changes include Goodyear F1 GSD3s, shock tower brace, subframe connectors, underdrive pulley, K&N air filter, etc.

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  Loving My New Car - 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Jon - June 28 - 9:56 pm

  The car as a whole is great and I am very satisfied. The car has great pickup and looks really good, especially after its been waxed out here in the desert sun. My only complaint is rattling I hear coming from the center console during normal driving. Pressing my leg against it while driving helps, but its not a good solution to the problem.

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  Big Black Blazer - 1994 Chevrolet Blazer
  By Chris North - June 28 - 6:06 pm

  Has 120k miles on it and I have been driving it for a year and a half now. "Like a Rock" as they said when It was new, was no lie. Its never let me down, and it looks great with charcoal accents and 32s. Besides the wheels and a better CD stereo, it is stock. Slight puff of smoke on startup but that is the valve seals and hurts nothing. Does not use a drop of oil. Only downside is 94 was the last year of that awful "jet inspired" dash layout. Too many buttons, not rotary dials. Kind of cheap plastic. Transmissions need to be babied. ie: Take it out of overdrive when in hilly areas under about 45mph. If the tranny "hunts for gears", thats bad for it. All in all though, I do highly recommend it

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  I got the bad apple in the barrel - 2001 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jayme Polis - June 28 - 3:48 am

  The first fifteen days I had my malibu, it was great, then while driving down the freeway it died! Within the first year I owned it which was 2004, I had the fuel pump injection system replaced, brake booster replaced, A/C unit replaced. Somehow the battery cracked (I was not in an accident!)and leaked all among other little things.

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  Awesome SUV - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
  By Ethan - June 28 - 12:40 am

  This is the best midsize suv. I looks like a Lexus and drives awesome. I chose it over a GMC Envoy SLT.

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  Excellent family car - 2001 Chevrolet Impala
  By puppy - June 27 - 6:57 pm

  I bought a 2001 impala from a private party at 75,000 mile for $6100. It feels like new. Has a quiet engine, stable and comfortable highway driving. Its much better than Camry or Accord ifor this price.

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  Mcrdstr - 2006 Chevrolet SSR
  By Mcrdstr - June 27 - 6:52 pm

  Top rattles at the hint of a bump in the road. Body metal is so thin you could dent it while polishing. Cab is too small for my six foot two 250 pound body . Air screen blocks rear vision. Cannot see front fenders when parking. The only way to see them is get out of truck.

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  2005 Avalanche - 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By rherauf - June 27 - 5:05 pm

  I have 8000 miles on the unit and am getting 19.6mpg driving 40 miles/day to and from work. its very comfortable on long trips.

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  Fixed What I Didnt Like - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  By ktn - June 27 - 9:53 am

  Bought an 08 Silverado 4x4 with the 4.8 V8 in January 09 when Chevy couldnt give a truck away. Got a great price. Overall love the truck, except the front clearance for a 4x4. Cracked the license plate frame the first week crossing a frozen creek. Ended up adding a 4 inch Rancho lift and it handles even better with a better ride and turning radius. The approach and departure angles along with articulation is infinitely better. Highly recommended if you are actually going to take it off road. I got 21-22 MPG on the highway before the lift and adding 33 inch mud tires. Now about 18, still great for what it is. Stock tires were useless offroad. Other complaint: stock skid plates are plastic.

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  My 2004 Chevy Malibu - 2004 Chevrolet Malibu
  By USFIslandchild - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2004 Chevy Mailbu. I would suggest it to anyone who is looking to buy a midsized car. The 2003 doesnt even compare to the 2004. The car seems to have European style, feel, and comfort. I chose the LS V6 with the following options that I would recommend: side-curtain airbags and remote start (one of my favorites). Please feel free to email me if you are considering purchasing anytime soon.